Interfax - Russia & CIS Military Newswire Tuesday 12:34 PM MSK Armenia says endangered by Azerbaijani work in Nakhichevan border sector YEREVAN. May 22 Armenia will not allow any change of positions to happen on the border with Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Ministry press secretary Tigran Balayan said at a press briefing on Tuesday. "Armenia will not allow any change of positions to happen in any sector. Azerbaijani has been carrying out certain projects that directly threaten our positions in the Nakhichevan sector of the Armenian border," Balayan said. Armenian Foreign Minister Zograb Mnatsakanyan and Defense Minister David Tonoyan have paid a fact-finding visit to the area, he said. "We have repeatedly warned the intermediaries and Azerbaijan that such projects increase tension and could cause casualties. We say again that we will not allow any change in any sector," Balayan said. Te mc aa
Category: 2018
No immediate plans for Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs’ Karabakh meeting – Yerevan
Interfax - Russia & CIS Military Newswire Tuesday 11:54 AM MSK No immediate plans for Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs' Karabakh meeting - Yerevan YEREVAN. May 22 No agreement has been reached on a meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Zograb Mnatsakanyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov to discuss ways to settle the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan said. "The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have said that they plan to visit Armenia in June. Concrete dates are being negotiated. But there is currently no agreement on a meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan," Balayan said at a press briefing on Tuesday. Yerevan's stance on the Karabakh issue remains unchanged, he said. "The problem must be resolved by exclusively peaceful methods on the basis of the OSCE Minsk Group's suggestions and in accordance with the agreements reached after Azerbaijan's April aggression," he said. Armenia is not refusing to take part in Karabakh settlement negotiations, Balayan said. "But Nagorno-Karabakh's participation in these talks is a mandatory condition for reaching a lasting peace," he said. Armenia and the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic established a ceasefire with Azerbaijan in May 1994. The negotiations are mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, which was set up in 1992 to search for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. The group consists of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and Turkey. It is co-chaired by Russia, France, and the United States. Tm mc aa
OSCE Minsk Group sees need for Karabakh’s role in settlement talks – Armenian Foreign Ministry
Russia & CIS General Newswire Tuesday 11:54 AM MSK OSCE Minsk Group sees need for Karabakh's role in settlement talks - Armenian Foreign Ministry YEREVAN. May 22 The co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group agree that the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) should participate in talks aimed at settling the Karabakh conflict, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said. "The need for Artsakh [the Armenian name for Karabakh] to take part in these talks is obvious to the [Karabakh settlement] mediators [from the OSCE Minsk Group], as well. They [the mediators] have also talked about the need for [Artsakh's] participation [in the talks]," Kocharyan told reporters in parliament on Tuesday. No progress can be achieved without Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in these negotiations, he said. "Artsakh's non-participation in the talks stems from the destructive stance pursued by Azerbaijan. The mediators know that Armenia cannot hold talks in Artsakh's stead. Nagorno-Karabakh will join the talks as soon as it becomes possible to make progress in the settlement process," Kocharyan said. Tm mc aa
Judge Lifts Stay on Kerkorian Widow’s $600 Million Litigation Claim
My News LA, Los Angeles
Judge Lifts Stay on Kerkorian Widow’s $600 Million Litigation Claim
Posted by Contributing Editor on in Hollywood
In a move supported by both sides, a judge Monday allowed discovery-sharing to proceed on whether Kirk Kerkorian’s widow is entitled to a third of the billionaire’s estate, amounting to about $600 million based on its $1.8 billion value at the businessman’s death.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maria Stratton had previously put a stay on litigation related to Una Davis’ petition while she appealed the judge’s March 2017 ruling allowing Kerkorian estate executor Anthony Mandekic to take an active role in the legal proceedings and oppose her petition rather than be required to be neutral. Davis maintains she is an “omitted spouse” who is entitled to the same amount of money she would have received had Kerkorian died without a will.
Davis appealed Stratton’s 2017 ruling, but a three-justice panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled in January that the judge ruled properly. The state Supreme Court then denied Davis’ petition for review.
Jill Basinger, an attorney for the Kerkorian estate, welcomed the lifting of the stay. She said, however, that she expects the trial of Davis’ petition to include efforts by her attorneys to posthumously embarrass Kerkorian rather than deal with the issues of whether their client is an omitted spouse.
When Davis’ lawyer, John Deily, attempted to reply to Basinger, the judge shook her head and said, “You don’t have to respond.”
The judge set a Dec. 1 trial-setting conference on the Davis petition.
Kerkorian and Davis were married for 57 days before he asked her to leave his home, according to the estate’s lawyers. The estate attorneys further state in court papers that Davis gave up any right to assets from the estate before she and Kerkorian married.
Davis says she was pressured by those close to Kerkorian into signing a waiver to any interest she had before the two wed in 2014.
Kerkorian — who was 98 when he died on June 15, 2015, in Beverly Hills — had been married three times previously.
Documents filed by Kerkorian’s attorneys when his estate was opened included a copy of his will, dated July 2013. Kerkorian designated that $15 million be given to Patricia Mary Christensen, the wife of his longtime attorney Terry Christensen, and $7 million to Mandekic, who also served as secretary-treasurer of Kerkorian’s Beverly Hills-based Tracinda Corp. Kerkorian left another $6 million to one of his lawyers, Patricia Glaser.
In another ruling made Monday, Stratton denied a request by Davis that Mandekic bring up to date his accounting of the Kerkorian estate. Deily said about $1.8 billion is “entirely off the books” and that it is unclear if Mandekic bears any responsibility for the estimated $80 million in losses from “The Promise,” a 2016 movie that starred Christian Bale. The film was set in the final years of the Ottoman Empire and dealt with the Armenian genocide.
Stratton said the estate is too big to bring its accounting current and that any delays by the executor in updating the numbers have been reasonable. Basinger said some of the accounting information Davis seeks was previously reviewed by the court and rejected.
Kerkorian developed key properties on the Las Vegas Strip, including the MGM and MGM Grand. He also invested in and operated businesses in a number of industries, including airlines, automakers, Chrysler Corp., General Motors and film studios. He purchased MGM Studios three times, bought United Artists and tried to acquire Columbia Pictures .
Cypriot House President continues meetings in Armenia in framework of official visit
Cyprus News Agency
Monday
House President continues meetings in Armenia in framework of official visit
President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris is continuing his contacts in Yerevan, Armenia, in the framework of an official visit, and on Monday met with President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and President of the National Assembly Ara Babloyan.
In statements, Sarkissian said prospects for cooperation between Cyprus and Armenia are much greater than they have been, noting that they agreed to promote cooperation in the sectors of services and education.
Sarkissian said the friendship between Cyprus and Armenia goes back centuries, and referred to the Armenian community in Cyprus, noting that its members are also good citizens of Cyprus.
Syllouris said they discussed practical ways to enhance cooperation and relations, to the benefit of the people of both countries.
In his meeting with Babloyan, Syllouris referred to preparations for the trilateral parliamentary cooperation of Cyprus, Greece, and Armenia, the first meeting of which will take place in Cyprus.
Babloyan said Armenia looks forward to the House of Representatives ratifying the enhanced partnership agreement between the EU and Armenia.
In a press conference after the talks, Babloyan said the official visit strengthened the effort for the further development of bilateral ties, noting that they had the opportunity to discuss parliamentary cooperation and relations.
Babloyan also said they discussed developments in the Cyprus issue, adding that Cyprus and Armenia support each other in matters of national importance.
Regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, he said Cyprus was the first European country to recognise in 1975 and condemn the genocide. Babloyan also mentioned the law that the House of Representatives passed regarding the criminalisation of the denial of the genocide.
Regarding the Armenia’s ‘velvet revolution’, Syllouris said ‘there is only one Armenia for us’, adding that ‘we want a strong Armenia’.
Azerbaijani Press: Baku rejects Karabakh’s involvement in peace talks
APA, Azerbaijan
Baku rejects Karabakh’s involvement in peace talks
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Azeri edition of APA]
Azerbaijan has rejected Armenia’s claims that breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh was listed as a full party to the conflict in some international documents.
“The Minsk group was set up by a decision of the OSCE Helsinki Ministerial Council in 1992 and Armenia and Azerbaijan were recognised as parties to the conflict, whereas Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian and Azeri communities were recognised as interested parties,” APA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hikmat Haciyev as saying on 22 May.
Haciyev was responding to his Armenian counterpart Tigran Balayan’s remarks that Karabakh is a full party to the conflict and its participation in the peace talks is necessary in order to find a solution to the conflict.
Haciyev went on to say that it was Armenia that seized Azerbaijani territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh.
“A party to the conflict is the Republic of Armenia, which bears responsibility under the international legal norms for the use of force against Azerbaijan and for the military occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Azerbaijan’s biggest concession is that it has been holding talks with Armenia, the aggressor state, for 25 years,” Haciyev said.
Haciyev went on to say that the new Armenian leadership should withdraw Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories, a step which would facilitate reaching a lasting peace.
Nikol Pashinyan participates in discussion in Los Angeles
Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the discussion in Los Angeles on “Armenia tomorrow. civil diplomacy in action.”
Wolves devour lambs in Shirak (video)
In Shirak, the wolves devoured lambs. The family suffered by 700,000 drams. The problem is presented to Shirak regional administration. Shirak’s family expects support.
Fire breaks out in car on Halabyan Street
On May 22, at 17:34, the 911 hotline received information that a fire broke out on a car in Yerevan’s Karo Halabyan Street.
It turned out that a “Dodge” car was on fire in front of #11 Halabyan street. There are no victims.
The fire was isolated at 17:47 and extinguished at 18:03.
The car was partially burnt.
Asbarez: U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo Shares ANCA’s Enthusiasm about Armenia’s Peaceful, Constitutional Political Transition
“We appreciate your idea of a new Millennium Challenge Corporation compact focused on STEAM education for Armenia.” – Secretary of State Pompeo
WASHINGTON, DC – Newly sworn-in U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo – in a letter this week to Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Raffi Hamparian – voiced “enthusiasm” for Armenia’s peaceful, constitutional political transition, affirmed America’s friendship with the Armenian people, pledged to work with the Armenia’s new government to advance shared interests.
“We welcome Secretary Pompeo’s enthusiasm for Armenia’s peaceful, constitutional political transition and look forward to working with him and his team to take our bilateral cooperation to a new level,” said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “We are confident that – with our continued advocacy and sufficient will on both sides of the U.S.-Armenia relationship – that we will see progress toward a major Millennium Challenge Corporation compact educating and empowering the next generation of Armenian youth.”
The May 17, 2018, letter from Secretary Pompeo came in response to the ANCA’s call upon the Secretary – in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – to support expedited consideration of a new $140 million Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) grant for Armenia’s public schools.
“We appreciate your idea of a new MCC compact focused on STEAM education for Armenia,” noted Secretary Pompeo, who went on to voice willingness to assist Armenia with the MCC process, while noting that the Corporation does not have a formal process in place for accelerated consideration of compacts. “We hope to see the Armenian government make progress on MCC’s eligibility criteria (‘scorecard’) this year so that the MCC Board of Directors may consider Armenia for a compact during the annual selection process,” noted Secretary Pompeo.
The ANCA recently held a series of meetings with White House and State Department officials and leading Members of Congress advocating for a STEAM MCC compact for Armenia that would, similar to one being implemented in neighboring Georgia, deliver over $75 million for school infrastructure improvements; $30 million for STEAM education projects; and, over $15 million for vocational educational programs to meet the growing demand for information technology professionals. The MCC grant would likely be apportioned over a 5-year period and would be subject to strict oversight by the MCC to ensure the program is benefiting students across Armenia.
The MCC is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, MCC has changed the conversation on how best to deliver smart U.S. foreign assistance by focusing on good policies, country ownership, and results. MCC provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. These investments not only support stability and prosperity in partner countries but also enhance American interests. With cost-effective projects, a lean staff, and an evidence-based approach, MCC is a good investment for the American people.
Seeking MCC funding for STEAM education is part of the ANCA’s federal legislative agenda, a 360-degree advocacy program that seeks to strengthen Armenia economically, grow U.S.-Armenia relations, defend Artsakh’s (Nagorno Karabakh) security, and end U.S. complicity in Ankara’s obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide.